PROSPECTS FOR USING AGILE MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES IN UZBEKISTAN'S PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.
Abstract
In the context of ongoing reforms and the digital transformation agenda in Uzbekistan, the integration of Agile management principles into public administration holds significant potential for enhancing the efficiency, flexibility, and responsiveness of state institutions. Agile, which originated in the field of software development, promotes adaptive planning, collaborative work, iterative progress, and continuous improvement—values that align closely with the objectives of modern governance. This paper explores the theoretical foundations of Agile methodology and its applicability in the context of Uzbekistan's public sector. Drawing on international case studies and best practices, the study argues that Agile principles can improve public service delivery, increase transparency, and foster citizen-centered policy development. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the current state of public administration in Uzbekistan, identifies key challenges to Agile implementation—such as institutional inertia, skill gaps, and regulatory constraints—and offers strategic recommendations for policymakers. These include piloting Agile projects in selected government agencies, providing professional development opportunities for civil servants, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. Ultimately, adopting Agile management approaches can serve as a catalyst for building a more modern, efficient, and accountable public administration system in Uzbekistan.
References
1. Beck, K., Beedle, M., van Bennekum, A., Cockburn, A., Cunningham, W., Fowler, M., ... & Thomas, D. (2001). Manifesto for Agile Software Development.
2. Denhardt, R. B., & Denhardt, J. V. (2015). The new public service: Serving, not steering (4th ed.). Routledge.
3. Highsmith, J. (2010). Agile project management: Creating innovative products (2nd ed.). Addison-Wesley Professional.
4. OECD. (2020). The OECD Handbook on Innovation in the Public Sector. OECD Publishing.
5. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2021). Digital Transformation and Agile Governance in Public Administration. UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development.
6. Government Digital Service (UK). (2018). Agile delivery: How to work in an agile way.
7. McKinsey & Company. (2020). How to build an agile government: Transforming the public sector in the digital age.
8. Rigby, D. K., Sutherland, J., & Takeuchi, H. (2016). Embracing Agile. Harvard Business Review, 94(5), 40–50.
9. World Bank. (2022). GovTech Maturity Index: The State of Public Sector Digital Transformation. World Bank Group.
10. Kattel, R., Drechsler, W., & Tõnurist, P. (2019). Agile government: A new model for public sector reform. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 85(1), 14–31.
